Death toll in Kisumu crash rises to 26 – Oluga confirms

Medical Services Principal Secretary Ouma Oluga has confirmed that the death toll from Friday’s tragic road accident in Kisumu has risen to 26 after one more victim succumbed to injuries.

Speaking on Saturday during a visit to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH), Oluga said arrangements had been made to distribute patients between JOOTRH and other hospitals in the region to accelerate treatment.

“Every patient requires a different form of surgery. We are working with two or three hospitals to ensure all operations are completed on time,” Dr. Oluga said. “JOOTRH has 10 theatres, but due to the ongoing workload from other patients, we must share responsibilities to avoid delays. Our goal is to save every life and not lose anyone else.”

The accident occurred on Friday evening near the Coptic roundabout along the Kisumu–Kakamega road when a school bus belonging to AIC Naki High School lost control, veered into the opposite lane, and plunged into a ditch. The vehicle was ferrying mourners returning from a funeral in Nyahera.

To fast-track post-mortem examinations and ease the burial process, Dr. Oluga said additional pathologists from the region had been deployed.

Kisumu County Executive Committee Member for Health, Dr. Gregory Ganda, said the initial focus was on stopping bleeding and stabilising patients before surgery. He noted that all survivors require elective procedures.

“One patient who had been in the ICU is now stable and able to talk but will remain there due to multiple rib fractures. We will brief the family on why he needs further monitoring,” he said.

Medical teams have been working in shifts to ensure timely interventions. While most survivors are in stable condition, authorities said they would remain under close observation.

The Kisumu crash is one of the deadliest in the region this year, sparking renewed calls for stricter traffic enforcement and regular vehicle maintenance checks.

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